The History of Barnet FC
is a long and interesting tale of a club that has seen
some highs and more than its fair share of lows in its
100 plus years existence. So long, in fact, that this
history will be spread out over several pages. This is
the first section, charting the story from 1888 (or was
it earlier?) to 1901.

We would be grateful to
anyone who can add to anything written here. Apart from
pointing out any inaccuracies, we would be pleased to
receive contributions so that this history can be
"fleshed out" even more. For that reason, the
details on this page are likely to be changed as more
information is unearthed.

The early years are
something of a mystery, and anything written below is
based on various sources. It should not be taken as
gospel - it has been changed twice since it first went
online.

1881 to 1887

Barnet FC were formed in
1881 as Woodville FC playing at Woodville Road in New
Barnet.

Their name was amended
in 1882 to Woodville (Barnet) FC and they moved to Cromer
Road and then Cook's Farm, Victoria Road in around 1885.
The name changed at some point during 1885 to 1888 to New
Barnet FC.

1888 to 1901

In 1888 they settled on
Barnet FC, before moving to Queens Road, High Barnet in
1889. This site is now occupied by QE Boys school. At
this point, the club's colours were black and violet.
1888 is the official year that the club was founded.
Their headquarters was the Old Salisbury Hotel and their
dressing rooms were at the Black Horse, Wood Street.

Barnet FC competed in
the Olympian League and then the North London League.
Opponents included Finchley, London Caledonians,
Tottenham, Cowley Athletic, London Rifle Brigade and
Barnet Grammar School.

A local team from New
Barnet called Clifford FC disbanded in 1893, and some of
their best players joined Barnet FC. Barnet had moved to
the North Middlesex League by the 94/95 season (or the
North London League had been renamed?), and with these
extra players Barnet finished runners-up. A "smoking
concert" was held in the Old Salisbury Hotel, and
the players were presented with bronze medals - the
club's first awards.

The 96/97 season was
even better, with the team winning the Premier Division
of the North Middlesex League and Alliance.

Another local team
called Barnet Avenue FC, whose headquarters were at the
Rising Sun near where the Post Office is now, had a rival
following and the two teams did play each other. See the Barnet FC History website where there is an extract of a
match report from a local paper.

The 97/98 season ended
with Barnet FC winning the championship of the London
League Division Two. Runners up were an amateur club
called Fulham.

In 1901 the FA had
reason to investigate the affairs of the club. They were
not satisfied with the book-keeping, or the explanations
given. Various officials were suspended, and most of the
players. At this point there was no alternative, but for
Barnet FC to disband.

Barnet Avenue then
became the leading local club, although another local
side, Alston Works FC (see next section), were hot on
their heels.